{"id":348,"date":"2026-04-20T16:08:17","date_gmt":"2026-04-20T16:08:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.utc.edu\/freshtaketn\/?p=348"},"modified":"2026-04-23T13:13:45","modified_gmt":"2026-04-23T13:13:45","slug":"tn-bill-would-allow-trans-patients-to-sue-for-coercion-of-medical-care","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.utc.edu\/freshtaketn\/2026\/04\/20\/tn-bill-would-allow-trans-patients-to-sue-for-coercion-of-medical-care\/","title":{"rendered":"TN bill would allow trans patients to sue for \u2018coercion\u2019 of medical care"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Pride Parade in Downtown Chattanooga, Oct. 2025 Photo Credit: Seed Theater<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

NASHVILLE, TENN. – The Tennessee General Assembly passed SB2031\/HB1872<\/a> in April, legislation allowing healthcare professionals to be sued for coercing patients into seeking gender-affirming care up to 30 years after treatment. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The bill is now on Governor Bill Lee\u2019s desk awaiting his signature or veto.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The bill defines coercion as \u201ca threat, however communicated, to commit an offense; wrongfully accuse a person of an offense; expose a person to hatred, contempt or ridicule; harm the credit or business repute of a person; or take or withhold action as a public servant or cause a public servant to take or withhold action.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Senate sponsor, Sen. Adam Lowe R-Calhoun, said he introduced the legislation because the Senate received testimony from people who experienced personal injuries related to gender reassignment treatment. These people, he said, are entitled to seek damages under premises of malpractice, but it is often difficult for them to do so. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cCreating a private ride of action further establishes their rights to challenge whether or not the treatment they received was in their best interest or a matter of providers super imposing their politics on care,\u201d Lowe said. \u201cWellness should lead to independence, longevity, and contentment and there is growing evidence that gender altering care does not create that wellness.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lowe described a few cases where former patients said they were coerced into surgery. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, according to a 2022 survey by the National Center for Transgender Equality,<\/a> only 9% of respondents decided to \u201cde-transition.\u201d Of those who de-transitioned, less than 1% realized gender transitioning didn\u2019t suit them. Others cited either pressure from family and society or facing harassment and discrimination as their reasons for de-transitioning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rep. Jason Zachary R-Knoxville, the bill\u2019s House sponsor, made the argument on the House floor that his bill does not harm those who are happy with their gender reassignment treatment, but instead helps those who were \u201ccoerced.\u201d Similarly, Rep. Greg Martin R-Hixson said he voted in favor of the bill to protect Tennesseans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMedical professionals should never coerce Tennesseans into life-altering gender transition procedures with permanent consequences,\u201d Martin said. \u201cHouse Bill 1872 is a common-sense proposal that protects those who have been harmed and ensures they have a clear path to seek accountability and justice.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Democratic lawmakers, such as Sen. Heidi Campbell D-Nashville, voted against Lowe and Zachary\u2019s bill out of concern for both patients and medical providers. She said the bill creates a subjective standard of coercion that could undermine clinical judgment and cause providers who are acting in good faith to fear litigation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHealthcare decisions, especially those involving gender-affirming care, are deeply personal and should be guided by evidence-based medical standards and the trusted relationship between a patient and their provider,\u201d Campbell said. \u201cLegislation that introduces legal ambiguity into that relationship risks discouraging providers from offering care altogether, which can limit access and negatively affect patient outcomes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n